Monoclonal gammopathies in aging mu, kappa-transgenic mice: involvement of the B-1 cell lineage.

Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are monoclonal proliferative disorders of B cells at the differentiation stage of Ig production. They can be detected in the serum, either as transient or as persistent homogenous immunoglobulin (H-Ig) components. The exact phenotype, localization, and cell lineage origin of the precursor cells of MG are unknown, but may be crucial for both the correct diagnosis and for timely efficient treatment of the malignant forms.

Tenfold increased incidence of spontaneous multiple myeloma in long-term immunosuppressed aging C57BL/KaLwRij mice.

Persons undergoing maintenance immunosuppressive treatment (MIST) were shown to be at increased risk for the development of early malignancies, often of cells of the immune system. Very little is known about the late effects of MIST. Some clinical studies indicated an age-related increase in the incidence of plasma-cell disorders, in particular in that of multiple myeloma (MM).